Happy Almost Fall Pumpkin Tutorial

Hey Twirl Buddies!

In last week's blog I must have jinxed the weather. Here it is just hours before the first official day of fall and our beautiful weather of last week has gone full out summer this week! Oh...my...goodness!

But wait! It will be here soon!

To help get you started on fall goodness, I wanted to share a nice pumpkin you could make. I don't do much in the pumpkin world; however, look what crossed my email. And what great timing!

Meredith of Paper Craftery created this beauty last fall. On her blog you will find a wonderful tutorial on how to quill her pumpkin.  But even better - a lesson on color and light and how to use that light to give your work depth. Love it!

I think this is the prettiest pumpkin I've seen. Almost makes me want to create one - wait for it - nope. That feeling just lasted a moment. It has now fled as fast as the cool fall weather of last week   Hehehee...

You, on the other hand, I pray will jump at the chance and twirl your fall away! Let the fall wind blow you on over to Meredith's page, Paper Craftery, and see what all she has to offer.

Until next week, twirl buddies  - may the curls be ever in your pumpkin flavor!

Lisa

Wholesale Big Scale!

Greetings all you awesome peoples! You just make my day every time I think of you.

I don't know about where you live, but around here we are getting a reprieve from the summer heat and starting to feel the crispness of fall.  Not that I can complain about the summer heat of 2019 anyway. It really has been a pleasant summer.  Makes me worry about winter!

"Well, Lisa, just hunker down in your studio this winter and twirl away!" Right? As the studio and my office are just a flight of stairs away - let the snow begin!  NOT!!

For starters, I'm so very excited. I've jumped in with both feet and signed up to be an emerging artist at the annual American Handcrafted wholesale show in January 2020.  Oh..my..goodness...I'm a nervous wreck!

Check this out: Philadelphia Madness!  Yep!  That's me!!

So much work to do between now and January! Going wholesale is not for ninnies. Nope! Although I'm not a total novice, what experience I have is enough to know I'm jumping in the deep end. What's first? My studio line of unframed art. Today you only get a sneak peek, but as the date gets closer I'll give you a bigger taste of the amazing product you can expect from Never Bored Creations.

Winter. Spring. Summer and Fall. Never Bored Creations can cover them all.

Because there are 16 colors from which to choose and a minimum retail order of 12, I've put the colors into 4 color groups. You are still welcome to mix and match; however, I would like to be as retail buyer friendly as possible. The "no stress for success" thought.  lol

So there you have it for today.  Now I best get to my studio and start designing these cards!

Lisa

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Greentree Festival, Kirkwood, Missouri

I'm so very honored. I've been invited to be a professional demonstrator at this year's Greentree Festival in Kirkwood, Missouri!

They have invited me a couple times but Silver Dollar City Fall Festival had my attention the past four seasons. This type of opportunity is why I've chosen not to demo at SDC for awhile.

Check out the sweet outfit I use when I do historic demonstrating!

I had an opportunity to create this ensemble in a historic clothing class a few years back offered by a staff member of the Felix Valle House State Historic Site. Yep! I made it - all of it...right down to the knife pleated petty coat (not showing for decency reasons, of course! Hehe!)

The era is approximately 1815. I've chosen that era for two reasons: First, it is the heyday of Ste Genevieve. So I wear it to demo events in town. Second, the LAST thing I want to deal with is corsets and hoop skirts!

Well, that's what's up here at Never Bored Creations. Should you live in the area, come see me at the Greentree Festival September 14 - 15, 2019!. You'll find me in the Folklife Artist demonstration area.

Here's to no time for boredom!!

Lisa
Your ever lovin', paper twirlin' enthusiast!

Etsy, new body of work, and more...

Although I've been quiet here on the blog, I've not been quiet in the studio! Nope! Busy as a spring bee, yes-eree!

For starters, I moved my product from Rust on North Main Street down the road to Sassafras Creek Originals. The biggest reason was to free up time. To be part of the artist co-op of Rust, I worked the shop one day a week. Thanks to you, I need that day back!

Sassafras Creek is a 1700-1800's gift shop here in Ste Genevieve which is perfect for Never Bored Creations paper filigree and the historic work I love to create! And I now get all five days in my studio. Win! Win!

Owner, Kandye, encouraged me to use Fraktur art paintings and lettering to inspire new designs. This little 5 inch x 7 inch cutie can be found for sale hanging on her shop walls.  There are several elements and techniques in the piece that can be found in antique filigree from that time period.

Kandye encouraged me to paint and age-antique frames for my Fraktur work. This frame started out as a used, light colored, wood frame I picked up at a yard sale. A little black paint, sand paper, and shoe polish (yes, shoe polish!) and voila! Beauty shines!

On to Etsy! Finally fulfilling my promise, I have listed several necklace pieces in my Etsy shop. I'm still deciding how to list specialty items. Many of my creations, like the one below, can be done in any color I have.

This color and the peacock color listed on Etsy are papers I have cut with a paper shredder. I have a cutting machine; however, I love the fibrous look of the shredder! It gives it a natural nature look verses the smooth edge of machine cut papers.

Please check out all my pretties at Never Bored Creations on Etsy!

Well, quill fans, that's it for today! I pray your days have sparks of joy and you have no time for boredom!

Twirlin' on...

Lisa

Things they are a changing

Hey all you amazing paper lovin' peeps!

I want to thank all of you for helping make 2018 the best year ever! It was a crazy busy year!

As for 2019? I'm so very excited about the changes I've got in the works!

First, I won't be at Silver Dollar City this fall. They've made changes. I've made changes. What a blessing the past four seasons have been. It also connected me with most of you! Thank you for supporting me. I do have some events in the Branson/Springfield area. I'll keep you posted!

Second, I'm leaving the local artist shop, Rust. It too has been an amazing ride. This would be my fifth season there. However, my business has grown in such a way I need that extra day per week in my studio. That is your fault! Thank you so very much!

I will be moving some items to another local, artist-based shop in Ste. Genevieve. That I will let you know about closer to May. But I won't have to work in the shop. In-person products available AND time in my studio. Win! Win!

I'm excited because all these changes means I can actually better serve my buying customer. I've been promising you for months I would have gift items for sale on line. But I've had no extra time to make good on that promise!

I've also been promising my quill buddies I would get new patterns made - - where does the time go!

Third, I'm breaking into wholesale. Yep! I tested the waters a little in 2018 and I liked the response.  So if you are aware of a cute artist boutique in your area you think my gift items would serve well, let me know! I would love to connect with shops in all areas across the U.S.

So there you go. Things they are a changing - - but for the amazing better!  I'm just so stinking excited!

Well, I best go get my twirl on if I'm to keep this year growing!

Your humble paper twirler,
Lisa

A gift for you

Christmas is coming!

In less than 20 days millions will celebrate with family and friends the joyous season of Christmas. Here at Never Bored Creations we do celebrate that time as the recognized holiday for the birth of the Savior, Jesus. For this reason it has meaning that lasts 24/7/365.

However, I am aware that many of my friends and fans only celebrate it as a holiday with tidings of comfort and joy. I want you to know how very much I love you, too.

I am so very thankful that God has placed each and every one of you in my world. And to show my appreciation to quill buddies and to artwork fans, I have a gift.

The New Year will find me adding my art creations to my Etsy Shop! And to say thank you to my fans, I will be sending a discount coupon out in my announcement email. Yep! A special, private discount just for my newsletter friends! So keep your eye out for my first email in January 2019 where you will receive your special e-letter discount code!

For my twirl buddies....I have a free star grid and an ornament grid for you right {here!} to help you finish up those Christmas gifts and decorations!!

AND...want something different? Check out my free Notepad Topper pattern right {here!} It makes for an awesome gift!

So there you have it twirl fans of all kinds! May your holidays be bright!

Lisa
Believer in the miracle of a baby named Jesus

Lost in a moment...or two

Hey twirl buddies!

Have you ever had a season in life when one opportunity after another lead you away from your passion? That's what the past few months have been for me.

“Few months? Really, Lisa?” says the inner voice.

Well, okay, maybe longer than that! But time flies when you're having fun! I've gone from wholesaling my art to working a feasibility plan that would make Never Bored Creations a quiling paper and supplies company.

What?! That opportunity came when I found out the first of October that our quilling supply company, Lake City Crafts, is closing down. (Read the full announcement here: http://www.quilling.com/blog).  

Buying up equipment and supplies and starting a small line of my own was very tempting. But the more I've pondered it through prayer the clearer things became. Then a dear friend and business mentor told me, “Lisa, you would be so busy filling orders that you would miss your peeps. Your art has always been a big part of your ministry, would there be room for that still?” She was right.

Thank you, Father God, for connecting me with such an amazing friend.

So where do I go from here? Back to my business plan....back to my peeps! I have only one big art event left for 2018, and then I have six weeks filled with holiday fun and creating!

For my twirl buddies: We'll have to see what new patterns I can create. What new video classes I can prepare.

AND for my art customers: Revitalize my Etsy shop! I haven't made time to sell my art on Etsy for way too long. And you've let me know you miss me! 

So there you have it. But before I go I want to take a moment to thank you. No matter how many times I've floundered around, you have hung in there with me.

Thank you for being my peeps!